Update at 1:15 p.m.: Dallas County Sheriff’s Department investigators initially missed important evidence during a search of the home where a brutal March 2011 domestic violence attack occurred, according to testimony in Jose Arreola’s trial.

Two investigators who searched the Lancaster home of the victim testified this morning that they did not initially see a tote bag sitting on the floor of the living room. Among the items inside the bag was a knife block, a knife sharpener and numerous knives, including some with blood on them. Arreola’s bloody clothing and shoes were also inside the bag.

Investigators missed the bag even though it can be seen in several crime scene photos they took, according to testimony.

“Clearly the bag was there?” Prosecutor Brandie Wade asked one of the investigators.

“Yes, ma’am,” said John Ludwigs, a physical evidence detective.

“But it was missed?” Wade asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” Ludwigs said.

Investigators did discover a large knife in the kitchen sink that was broken at the handle. It appeared to have been washed, according to testimony.

Days after the attack, the victim’s relatives were cleaning her house when they discovered the tote bag and notified investigators. Ludwigs came to the home and picked up the bag, he said.

Ludwigs also testified that he lost about 60 to 70 percent of his crime scene photos because an “internal mechanism” of his camera malfunctioned. But he said he also produced a video recording of the crime scene.

The crime scene stretched from the back porch of the home, where the attack is believed to have started, and inside through several rooms of the house. Crime scene photos show large amounts of blood on the floors and walls of the home.

Original post at 8:12 a.m.: Testimony is expected to continue this morning in the Dallas County trial of a man accused of beating, raping and mutilating his girlfriend in March 2011.

Jose Arreola, 34, faces up to life in prison if convicted in the attack that left the woman with severe injuries to her face, breasts and sexual organs. Her eyes were swollen shut, and she had extensive facial fractures that required permanent plates and screws to be put in her face, according to testimony.

“I was very happy with him, until one night I came home and it was the first time I’d ever seen him angry,” the woman said.

State District Judge Fred Tinsley ended testimony for the day before prosecutors began questioning the woman about the March 2011 attack for which Arreola is now charged. He faces up to life in prison.

Defense attorney Michael Todd has argued that the woman was the aggressor. He questioned witnesses about her drinking habits and highlighted the fact that she was wearing “little shorts” on the night of the attack.